Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Becky Marshall. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Becky, thanks for joining us today. Day to day the world can seem like a tough place, but there’s also so much kindness in the world and we think talking about that kindness helps spread it and make the world a nicer, kinder place. Can you share a story of a time when someone did something really kind for you?

The kindest thing someone has done for me in relation to my Antisign Shop business was tell me a story.

I was at a maker’s market event selling the signs and lamps I created. It was a slow day and a woman came up to my table, a bit hesitant, and became quite interested in one particular lamp. I said hello, she didn’t say much, gave me a quick solemn glance, and said thanks.

A while later she came back to my booth, again focused on this one particular lamp. She became emotional, I could see she was attempting to hold back tears. I felt for her but also felt it wasn’t my place to inquire. She examined the lamp closer, took my business card, said thank you, and left.

Everyone is walking a path in life and we never know when something will strike a chord.

A day later she sent me an email saying that her son had passed away not long before this event. She came across my lamp and it reminded her of him, of something he would make as he was a woodworker. She was interested in purchasing it and asked if I could ship it to her.

Her story struck me, that something I created reminded her so strongly of her son.

I shipped her the lamp the same day, all free of charge. Her kindness in opening up to me was a gift.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Becky and I’ve been a maker of things since the beginning of my time. Whether I’m creating wall art signs, lamps, baking, or taking my house apart and putting it back together, I’m always making something, trying new things, and finding new ways to think outside the box.

I spent a pair of decades working in professional theater in Chicago as a prop master then went on to receive my MFA in Interior Architecture. Both have launched me into where I am today.

One thing I’m most proud of is getting up every day, finding something new to work on, a new direction, a new idea, keeping that creative energy going and going for it.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Pivoting in business, career, or life should definitely be expected; though a pivot may feel unexpected, things are rarely a straight path. I’ve done this several times when it’s become apparent that I’ve maxed out a direction or a career path. Back in my theater days, I reached the limit on the upward trajectory in town so I opted to pivot, expand my opportunities with the skillset I had, and go to grad school. It’s not always easy but it can open new doors.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

Currently I have all my products listed on a Gigrove site under the umbrella of humboldtartdept.com. I also now have a TikTok shop though I’m still learning the in’s and out’s of selling there. I had listed my items on Etsy for the longest time. The trouble I was running into with Etsy was feeling a tiny fish in a gigantic pond, lost in a sea of multitudes of shops and listings. Too, their fees have kept increasing and it has become unsustainable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theantisignshop.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flippingtheflip/
• Other: https://www.humboldtartdept.com

Image Credits

All images are by Becky Marshall